AIM APPAREL, GEAR, & UNIFORMS
SPIRIT WEAR
Show your Aim pride with fun spirit wear! We are excited to partner with one of our own Aim parents to offer a fantastic array of items. Keri Pogue has a dedicated section of her 63122 Spirit Shop website stocked with Aim hoodies, t-shirts, hats, quarter zips, and more. Some are available with alternative designs, and most are available in youth and adult sizes.
All Aim items ordered through 63122 Sprit Shop can either be shipped USPS to your home or picked up at the Spirit Shop (in Glendale, MO) for a small fee. Families are able to select their preference at checkout.
GEAR & UNIFORMS
The Aim field hockey backpack is a highly sought-after item among our athletes. You can purchase this popular backpack online through our League Apps store. This online store provides additional but limited gear options, including Hocsocxs, Adidas travel stick bags, and sticks.
If you find yourself in need of replacement practice pinnies or uniform items, you can also purchase these through our League Apps store. It's important to note that Aim uniform packages are typically purchased during the a la carte registration of a Club season (or annual membership registration), excluding the winter (a la carte) club season, as they are included in the registration fees for new athletes and U12 athletes aging up the U14 age group.
Field Hockey Equipment
Sticks
The market offers a wide array of brands, and no single brand stands out as the ultimate choice. When selecting a stick, numerous factors come into play, including the bow type, composition, thickness, and weight. Personal preferences play a significant role in the decision-making process.
In today's game, sticks are designed to cater to specific skill sets rather than being restricted to particular positions. For example, using heavier sticks for defenders is no longer a common practice.
Some popular brands are:
Adidas
JDH
Longstreth has been one of the country's leading providers of sticks (and additional field hockey gear).
Mercian (link includes a discount for Aim athletes)
Osaka (link includes 10% discount for Aim athlete, or use code AIMFH)
Turf Shoes
Similar to the variety of options available for sticks, there is a plethora of brands to choose from when it comes to turf shoes. It's important to note that no single brand stands out as the absolute best choice.
Many of these brands manufacture turf shoes tailored for field hockey, although it's worth mentioning that a soccer turf shoe or a trail running shoe can serve as a great alternative.
Please note that at our home facilities, cleats are not allowed on either the water turf at Principia or the indoor turf at Center St. Louis.
Some popular options are:
Adidas
Asics (via Longstreth)
Nike (soccer/lacrosse turfs)
Osaka
Longstreth also offers turf shoes.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT STICK
from Hockey Performance Academy
SIZE: Ideally, your stick should come up to the top of your hip bone, but it depends on personal preference. Stick lengths typically range from 24”-38”
COMPOSITION: It is suggested that beginners start with lower levels of carbon and work their way up as they progress.
Carbon: Adds stiffness to the stick. The higher the carbon percentage, the more powerful your hits will be. A stick with less carbon will improve control and make trapping easier. Sticks with higher levels of carbon tend to be more expensive.
Wood: Some players still prefer to use wooden sticks. Wooden sticks improve control when dribbling and receiving. More affordable and ideal for young beginners.
BOW SHAPE: The bow of a stick is the slight bend that you can see from the handle to the toe. This typically ranges from 20mm-25mm, which is the maximum. Bow choice will depend on preference, age, and skill level.
Regular/Mid/Standard Bow: The highest point of the bow falls in the middle part of the stick, which is ideal for every aspect of the game, from ball control to advanced maneuvers.
Low Pro Bow: This bend is closest to the head of the stick and helps with controlling and lifting the ball, aerials, and dragflicking. Ideal for elite-level players.
Extreme Low Bow: The middle of the bend is closer to the toe of the stick and provides extra power when lifting the ball and also dragflicking. This is ideal for more advanced players.
